Summary

Superficial local mucosal infection, capable of focal invasion and dissemination.

Seen most frequently in association with local and systemic immunological suppression.

Clinical appearance is important for diagnosis.

Definition

Oral candidiasis involves a local infection of oral tissues by yeasts of the genus
Candida
, mostly
C albicans
. It is the most common oral fungal infection and is commonly seen in infants and older adults, and also with states of local and systemic immunological suppression. Although
Candida
are considered normal flora in GI and GU tracts in humans, they are capable of local infection of mucous membranes (oropharyngeal candidiasis, oesophagitis, vulvovaginitis), focal invasion (endophthalmitis, meningitis, endocarditis), and dissemination (candidaemia).

Contributors

Disclosures

FSY has contributed to lectures and other educational events relevant to this topic in the community and in continuing education courses. FSY has also developed educational material on this topic for the American Academy of HIV Medicine, which is used to issue HIV Specialist Certification.